Type head setting mechanism

ABSTRACT

Two hemispherical type head halves with integral first bevel gears, are mounted on a carrier shaft for rotation about a first polar axis. The carrier shaft extends perpendicularly to, and is fixed to,an equatorial carrier plate in which independently driven second bevel gears, meshing with the first bevel gears are supported for rotation about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis so that one of the types on the hemispherical type head halves, can be selected for printing by turning the second bevel gears independently of each other by key controlled setting means.

United States Patent van der Wei-ff 15'], 3,688,888 1 51 Sept. 5, 1972[54] TYPE HEAD SETTING MECHANISM [72] Inventor: Chien van der Werlf,Carolinensiel,

Germany [73] Assignee: Olympia Werke A.G., Wilhelmshaven, Germany [22]Filed: Feb. 25, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 118,811

30 Foreign Application Priority Date March 5, 1970 Germany ..P 20 10272.1

52 US. 01 ..197/s2, 197/18 [51] Int Cl. ..B41j 1/60 5s FieldofSearch..197/s2,1 s

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,207,874 7/1940 Reynolds..197/5 2x 2,895,584 7/ 1959 l-lickerson et al 197/52 2,902,132 9/1959Walker ..'l97/52 3,420,350 l/ 1969 Decker 1 97/52 X 3,348,649 10/1967Cramer 197/52 Primary Examiner-Edgar S. Burr Att0mey-Michael S. Striker[57] ABSTRACT Two hemispherical type head halves with integral firstbevel gears, are mounted on a carrier shaft for rotation about a firstpolar axis. The carrier shaft extends perpendicularly to, and is-fixedto,an equatorial carrier plate in which independently driven secondbevel gears, meshing with the first bevel gears are supported forrotation about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis'so that oneof the types on the hemispherical type head halves, can be selectedforprinting by tum- ,ing the second ,bevel gears independently of eachother by key controlled setting means.

12'Claims, 3 Drawing Figures TYPE HEAD SETTING MECHANISM BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION Type heads are known which have two halves withhemispherical surfaces carrying types arranged in circular rows andtransverse columns, and which are mounted on a carrier plate which hasan equatorial position in relation to the hemispherical surfaces.

The German Pat. No. 1,063,612 discloses a device for setting a sphericaltype head to a selected type. In order to place the selected type in aprinting position, the type head must perform a rotary motion and atilting motion about two crossing axes. This requires a double universaljoint for supporting the type head. The arrangement permits only limitedtilting movement of the type head, so that it is not possible to use theentire surface of the type head for types, unless the type head has avery great diameter. This is due to the fact that the polar region ofthe spherical type head cannot be used for types.

The German Auflegeschrift No. 1,436,743 discloses a setting arrangementfor a spherical type head in which the types are distributed over theentire surface of the type head. The type head has two rigidly connectedhemispherical shells which are rigidly connected for rotation and whichare rotatable relative to an equatorial carrier plate between the same.In order to place selected types in a printing position, thehemispherical shells are rotatable relative to the equatorial carrierplate, which is mounted in a tiltable bearing fork. The selection ofcircular lines of type is carried out by a rotary motion of theequatorial carrier plate about journals in the bearing fork, and therespective column of types is selected by rotating the hemisphericalshells and the bearing fork. In order to obtain an exact positioning ofa selected type, a complicated mechanism is required. To select certaintypes, motions of three different setting means are required, whichreduces the speed and accuracy of selection of the respective types.

It is one object of the invention to provide a type head settingmechanism in which the hemispherical surfaces of a type head are fullyused for types, but which is free of the above explained disadvantagesof the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a type head settingmechanism which can be accurately operated at high speed, and consistsof only few parts.

With these objects in view the present invention provides in theinterior of a type head including two hemispherical halves, adifferential bevel gear transmission having at least one first bevelgear secured to the inside of one of the hemispherical halves, andmeshing with second bevel gears which are driven from setting means ofthe typewriter. The second bevel gears are preferably secured to coaxialdrive shaft driven by key controlled setting means. This arrangementpermits it to use a type head with a comparatively small diameter which,due to its low mass and inertia, and due to the positive connectionbetween the second bevel gears and the setting means, is suitable forvery high setting frequencies.

The setting arrangement disclosed in the German Auflegeschrift No.1,436,743, has hemispherical type head parts which are rigidly connectedwith each other. Inertia forces created during braking, must be taken upby the supporting frame, which has to have a corresponding rigidconstruction. This disadvantage is overcome by providing the preferredembodiment of the invention with a first bevel gear secured to eachhemispherical type head halves. The two type head halves and theirrespective, preferably integral, bevel gears, are mounted on a shaft,projecting from the equatorial carrier plate, for relative rotationabout the axis of the carrier shaft. Consequently, during the settingoperation and the braking of the two hemispherical type head halves, theinertia forces of the two type head halves, compensate each other.

A type head according to the invention has a very simple constructionand consists of only few parts, which can be mass-produced.Nevertheless, any type on anyone of the two hemispherical type headhalves, can be quickly and accurately selected.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a type head mounted on acarrier and including two type head halves located on opposite sides ofthe carrier and supported by the same for rotation about a common firstaxis, each type head half having an outer hemispherical surface withtypes disposed in circular lines concentric with the first axis, andforming columns transverse to the circular lines, the type headincluding at least one first bevel gear coaxial with the first axis, andpreferably two bevel gears respectively secured to the two type headhalves; two drive means mounted in the carrier for rotation about acommon second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and having driveportions located outward of the carrier and type head, and inneradjacent second bevel gears meshing with the first bevelgear or withboth first bevel gears; supporting means supporting the drive means forrotation; and two setting means operatively connected with the drivemeans for rotating the same independently of each other.

The arrangement is such that relative rotation of the two drive means atdifferent speeds causes rotation of the type head about the first axisfor selection of one of the columns of types, and about the second axisfor selection of one of the lines of types. In this manner, a selectedtype located in a selected column and in a selected line, is set to aprinting position.

However, if both drive means are driven by the setting means in the samedirection and at the same speed, same angle, the type head performs atilting movement only about the second axis. If the drive means areturned in opposite directions at the same speed and same angulardistance, the type head halves rotate in opposite directions about thefirst axis, without any tilting movement of the type head about thesecond axis.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective andpartly exploded view illustrating an'embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1at a reduced scale; and

FIG. 3 is an axial sectional exploded view, illustrating the embodimentof FIGS. 1 and 2 on an enlarged scale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing,the substantially spherical type head 1 includes two type head halves 3and 5, each of which has a hemispherical surface provided with types 50.Both type head halves 3 and 5 are mounted for rotation on a carriershaft 43 which has threaded bores 3 a into which screws 45 and 47 arescrewed as far as possible so that the heads of screws 45 and 47 retainthe type head halves 3 and 5 on the shaft 43, permitting an exchange ofthe type head halves 3 and 5 for replacement or servicing of the typehead halves 3 and 5. The depth of the threaded bores 3 a,and the lengthof the screws 45, 47 is selected so that a little play remainsbetweenthe heads of screws 45, 47 and the recesses 46 in the type headhalves 3 and 5, permitting free and independent rotation of type headhalves 3.and 5 about a common first axis and on the carrier shaft 43.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carrier shaft 43 is fixedly securedto the central portion 7a of carrier 7 which includes a circular upperportion 1 1, and a circular lower portion 9. Between portion 9 and 11, acircular flange 7b projects in outward radial direction, and supportstwo bearing bushings 13 and 15. Bearing bores 13a and a extend not onlythrough the bearing bushings 13 and 15, but also through the radialflange 7b, and into the central portion 7aending in cutouts 31a and 33a,best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3.

When the type head halves 3 and 5 are in the assembled position shown inFIG. 2, the annular shoulders 3a and 5a cooperate with the annularsurfaces 9a and 1 1a, the circular shoulders 3b and 5b cooperate withthe peripheral surfaces 11b and 9b, so that the type head halves 3 and 5are guided during rotation about carrier shaft 43. The type head halves3 and 5 have inner surfaces 35 and 37 whose central portions are formedas inwardly projecting bevel gears 39 and 41. As best seen in FIG. 2,the bevel gears 39 and 41 are located on opposite sides of carrier plate7a, and adjacent the cutouts 31a and 33a.

Drive means are provided which include two drive shafts 17 and 19supported in the bearing bores 13a and 15a and having adjacentnon-circular ends 17a and 190 on which drive bevel gears 31 and 33 aremounted. The outer ends of shafts 17 and 19 project out of the bearingbushings l3 and 15, and carry setting gears 23 and 25, see FIG. 1,meshing with control gears 27 and 29 which are operated by keycontrolled selector means, not shown, which cause independent angulardisplacement of control gears 27 and 29 in accordance with the typewhich is selected to be printed by operation of the respective key ofthe typewriter, not shown.

In this manner, bevel gears 31 and 33 can be independently rotated inthe same or in opposite direction selected angles, and since theperipheral portions of bevelgears 31, 33 project above and below thecutouts 31a, 33a, the rotary motion is transmitted to the bevel gears39, 41. Drive shafts 17 and 19 have a common axis which is perpendicularto the axis of rotation of the type head halves 3 and 5 which is theaxis of shaft 43.

The first axis of shaft 43 and the second axis of drive shafts l7 and 19intersect at right angles at a point of intersection.

The types of the circular rows 51, 52, 53 are located along circleshaving centers in the axis of rotation defined by carrier shaft 43. Thecorresponding transverse columns 54, 55 are located in radial planespassing through the axis of shaft 43, and along circles having thecenters in the point of intersection of the axis of shaft 43, and theaxis of drive shafts l7 and 19.

OPERATION The control gears 27 and 29 are independently rotated by asetting apparatus including differential levers, not shown, which effectthe turning of control gears 27 and 29 through predetermined angulardistances so that the drive shafts 17 and 19 are also turned angleswhich are associated with the selection of a particular type, 50, forexample. The operation of control gears 27, 29 is not an object of theinvention and depends on the actuation of a typewriter key not shown,which represents the same character as the selected type 50.

The following operations are possible:

Both control gears 27 and 29 are turned in the same direction the sameangle so that the drive bevel gears 31 and 33 turn together with settinggears 23, 25, drive shafts l9 and 17, and bevel gears 33, 31 in the samedirection of rotation, and about the axis defined by the bearing bores13a and 15a in carrier 7. Bevel gears 39 and 41 are not rotated relativeto each other about the axis defined by carrier shaft 43, but bothhemispherical type head halves 3 and 5 turn about the axis of shafts 17and 19. Consequently, a selected circular line 52, 51 or 53 is placed ina printing position, and the selected type 51 moves in the direction ofa column 55. The type head 1 performs a tilting movement for selectionof a circular line of types. When control gears 27, 29 turn the settinggears 23, 25 in opposite directions of rotation at the same speed andfor the same angular distance, the type head halves 3 and 5 turn inopposite directions about the axis of carrier shaft 43. Consequently, acolumn 54 or 55 is placed in the printing position.

If only one control gear 27 or 29 is rotated, and the respective othercontrol gear 27 or 29 is not rotated, or when both control gears 27, 29are simultaneously rotated at different speeds and for different angles,rotational movements of type head halves 3 and 5 about the axis of shaft43 are superimposed on tilting movement of type head 1 about the axis ofdrive shafts 17 and 19, so that the type head halves 3 and 5 turn notonly relative to the carrier plate 7a which is located in an equatorialposition regarding the spherical upper surfaces 1a and 1b of type headhalves 3 and 5, but also perform a tilting movement about the axis ofdrive shafts 17 and 19.

Assuming that four steps in column direction are required for placingthe circular line of types in which the selected type 50 is located inthe region of the print ing position, both drive means 17, 31 and 19, 33are simultaneously turned in counterclockwise direction four steps bythe setting means 27, 29, 23, 25, so that the correct circular line 54,for example, in which type 50 is located is placed in the correctposition.

When the control gear 27, and thereby setting gear 23 and shaft 19 withbevel gear 33 are further turned three steps, the type head halves 3 and5 rotate about the axis of carrier shaft 43 three steps so that thecorrect column is placed in a printing position in which the selectedtype 50 is in a printing position located opposite a platen, not shown.In this manner, sixtyfour characters, letters, digits and symbols can beexactly and quickly placed in a printing position.

The number of steps of the setting means 27, 29, 23, 25 depends on thenumber of types on the type head halves 3 and 5. If 64 types areprovided, each control gear 27, 29 may perform eight steps so that 64different positions of the type head 1 can be accomplished.

It is possible to connect the type head halves 3 and 5 for rotationtogether, which may be accomplished by a rod passing through a hollowshaft replacing shaft 43. The setting means 27, 23, 29, 25 may also bereplaced by a rope and pulley connection. In the illustrated embodiment,the drive shafts 17 and 19, which carry the setting gears 25 and 23, aresupported on supporting means including the supporting arms 21 whichcarry shafts 17 and 19 and there by the carrier means 7, and the twotype head halves 3 and 5.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types oftype head setting devices differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in atype head setting mechanism including two hemispherical type head halvesand a differential bevel gear transmission connecting the type headhalves with drive means, it is not intended to be limited to the detailsshown, since various modifications and structural changes may be madewithout departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Type head setting mechanism comprising carrier means; type head meansmounted on said carrier means and including two type head halves locatedon opposite sides of said carrier means and supported by the same forrotation about a common first axis, each type head half having an outerhemispherical surface with types disposed in circular lines concentricwith said first axis, and forming columns transverse to said lines, saidtype head means including at least one first bevel gear adjacent saidcarrier means and coaxial with said first axis; two drive means mountedin said carrier means for rotation about a second axis perpendicular tosaid first axis, and having drive portions located radially outward ofsaid carrier means and said type head means, and radially inner adjacentend portions located between said type head halves and including secondbevel gears meshing with said first'bevel gear; supporting meanssupporting said drive portions for rotation whereby said carrier meansand type head means are supported; and two setting means operativelyconnected with said drive portions, respectively, for rotating the sameindependently of each other so that relative rotation of said two drivemeans at different speeds causes rotation of said type head means aboutsaid first axis for selection of one of said columns, and about saidsecond axis for selection of one of said lines of types whereby aselected type located in said selected column and in said selected lineis set to a printing position.

2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said type headhalves includes'a first bevel gear coaxial with said first axis; andwherein said first bevel gears are located on opposite sides of saidcarrier means and mesh with said second bevel gears so that said typehead halves rotate in opposite directions about said first axis whensaid two drive means are rotated at the same speed in oppositedirections by said setting means.

3. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carrier means includesa carrier plate located in a plane perpendicular to said first axis andcontaining said second axis, and a shaft fixed to said carrier plateprojecting from opposite sides of the same and having said first axis;and wherein said type head halves are supported by said shaft onopposite sides of said carrier plate for rotation about said first axis.

4. A mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein said carrier plate iscircular and has circular shoulders on said opposite sides thereof, anda radial flange between said shoulders; wherein said carrier meansfurther include two diametrically disposed bearing bushings radiallyprojecting from said radial flange and supporting said drive portions ofsaid two drive means for rotation about said second axis; and whereinsaid type head halves have circular peripheral shoulders in contact withsaid circular peripheral shoulders of said carrier plate so that thesame is in an equatorial position relative to said hemisphericalsurfaces.

5. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first bevel gear isintegral with one of said type head halves; and wherein at least saidone type head half and said first bevel gear consist of a lightsynthetic material.

6. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carrier means includemanually operable means for detachably and exchangeably attaching saidtype head halves to said carrier means for rotation about said firstaxis.

7. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carrier means includesa circular carrier plate located in a plane equatorial relative to saidhemispherical surfaces and perpendicular to said first axis; whereinsaid second axis is located in said plane and intersects said firstplane at right-angles at an intersecting point; and wherein said columnsof types are located in radial planes passing through said first axisand are located in circles having the centers thereof at saidintersecting point.

8. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said type head halves havecircular edges; wherein said carrier means includes a plate in contactwith said circular edges, and a shaft fixed to said plate projectingfrom opposite sides of the same into said type head halves forsupporting the same for rotation about said first axis, and manuallyoperable threaded means detachably engaging the ends of said shaft andholding said type head halves on said shaft.

9. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said type headhalves includes a first bevel gear coaxial with said first axis; whereinsaid first bevel gears are located on opposite sides of said carriermeans and mesh with said second bevel gears so that said type headhalves rotate in opposite directions about said first axis when said twodrive means are rotated at the same speed in opposite directions by saidsetting means; wherein said carrier means includes a carrier platelocated in a plane perpendicular to said first axis and containing saidsecond axis, and a shaft fixed to said carrier plate projecting fromopposite sides of the same and having said first axis; and wherein saidtype head halves and said first bevel gears are supported by said shafton opposite sides of said carrier plate for rotation about said firstaxis.

10. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said two setting meansinclude two setting gears secured to said drive portions, and twocontrol gears meshing with said setting gears, respectively, and adaptedto be rotated under manual control to selected angular positions foroperating said drive means.

11. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said type head halves areconnected for rotation; and wherein one of said type head halvesincludes said first bevel gear meshing with said second bevel gears.

12. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said drive meansincludes a drive shaft between said second gear and said drive portionthereof; and wherein each said drive shaft is mounted in said carriermeans for rotation about said second axis with the respective secondgear and drive portion.

1. Type head setting mechanism comprising carrier means; type head meansmounted on said carrier means and including two type head halves locatedon opposite sides of said carrier means and supported by the same forrotation about a common first axis, each type head half having an outerhemispherical surface with types disposed in circular lines concentricwith said first axis, and forming columns transverse to said lines, saidtype head means including at least one first bevel gear adjacent saidcarrier means and coaxial with said first axis; two drive means mountedin said carrier means for rotation about a second axis perpendicular tosaid first axis, and having drive portions located radially outward ofsaid carrier means and said type head means, and radially inner adjacentend portions located between said type head halves and including secondbevel gears meshing with said first bevel gear; supporting meanssupporting said drive portions for rotation whereby said carrier meansand type head means are supported; and two setting means operativelyconnected with said drive portions, respectively, for rotating the sameindependently of each other so that relative rotation of said two drivemeans at different speeds causes rotation of said type head means aboutsaid first axis for selection of one of said columns, and about saidsecond axis for selection of one of said lines of types whereby aselected type located in said selected column and in said selected lineis set to a printing position.
 2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1wherein each of said type head halves includes a first bevel gearcoaxial with said first axis; and wherein said first bevel gears arelocated on opposite sides of said carrier means and mesh with saidsecond bevel gears so that said type head halves rotate in oppositedirections about said first axis when said two drive means are rotatedat the same speed in opposite directions by said setting means.
 3. Amechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carrier means includes acarrier plate located in a plane perpendicular to said first axis andcontaining said second axis, and a shaft fixed to said carrier plateprojecting from opposite sides of the same and having said first axis;and wherein said type head halves are supported by said shaft onopposite sides of said carrier plate for rotation about said first axis.4. A mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein said carrier plate iscircular and has circular shoulders on said opposite sides thereof, anda radial flange between said shoulders; wherein said carrier meansfurther include two diametrically disposed bearing bushings radiallyprojecting from said radial flange and supporting said drive portions ofsaid two drive means for rotation about said second axis; and whereinsaid type head halves have circular peripheral shoulders in contact withsaid circular peripheral shoulders of said carrier plate so that theSame is in an equatorial position relative to said hemisphericalsurfaces.
 5. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first bevelgear is integral with one of said type head halves; and wherein at leastsaid one type head half and said first bevel gear consist of a lightsynthetic material.
 6. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidcarrier means include manually operable means for detachably andexchangeably attaching said type head halves to said carrier means forrotation about said first axis.
 7. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1wherein said carrier means includes a circular carrier plate located ina plane equatorial relative to said hemispherical surfaces andperpendicular to said first axis; wherein said second axis is located insaid plane and intersects said first plane at right angles at anintersecting point; and wherein said columns of types are located inradial planes passing through said first axis and are located in circleshaving the centers thereof at said intersecting point.
 8. A mechanism asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said type head halves have circular edges;wherein said carrier means includes a plate in contact with saidcircular edges, and a shaft fixed to said plate projecting from oppositesides of the same into said type head halves for supporting the same forrotation about said first axis, and manually operable threaded meansdetachably engaging the ends of said shaft and holding said type headhalves on said shaft.
 9. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein eachof said type head halves includes a first bevel gear coaxial with saidfirst axis; wherein said first bevel gears are located on opposite sidesof said carrier means and mesh with said second bevel gears so that saidtype head halves rotate in opposite directions about said first axiswhen said two drive means are rotated at the same speed in oppositedirections by said setting means; wherein said carrier means includes acarrier plate located in a plane perpendicular to said first axis andcontaining said second axis, and a shaft fixed to said carrier plateprojecting from opposite sides of the same and having said first axis;and wherein said type head halves and said first bevel gears aresupported by said shaft on opposite sides of said carrier plate forrotation about said first axis.
 10. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1wherein said two setting means include two setting gears secured to saiddrive portions, and two control gears meshing with said setting gears,respectively, and adapted to be rotated under manual control to selectedangular positions for operating said drive means.
 11. A mechanism asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said type head halves are connected forrotation; and wherein one of said type head halves includes said firstbevel gear meshing with said second bevel gears.
 12. A mechanism asclaimed in claim 1 wherein each of said drive means includes a driveshaft between said second gear and said drive portion thereof; andwherein each said drive shaft is mounted in said carrier means forrotation about said second axis with the respective second gear anddrive portion.